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Analysis of institutional authors

Hapońska MAuthorAbelló SAuthorSalvadó Rovira, JoanAuthorTorras CAuthor

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Article

Membrane reactors for biodiesel production with strontium oxide as a heterogeneous catalyst

Publicated to:Fuel Processing Technology. 185 1-7 - 2019-03-01 185(), DOI: 10.1016/j.fuproc.2018.11.010

Authors: Haponska, Monika; Nurra, Claudia; Abello, Sonia; Makkee, Michiel; Salvado, Joan; Torras, Caries

Affiliations

Catalonia Institute for Energy Research IREC - Author
Delft Univ Technol, Catalysis Engn, Dept Chem Engn, Fac Appl Sci, Van der Maasweg 9, NL-2629 HZ Delft, Netherlands - Author
Delft University of Technology - Author
IREC, Catalonia Inst Energy Res, Marcelli Domingo 2, E-43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain - Author
Univ Rovira & Virgili, Dept Engn Quim, Av Paisos Catalans 26, E-43007 Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain - Author
Universitat Rovira i Virgili - Author
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Abstract

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. A membrane reactor containing an immobilized heterogeneous catalyst is an alternative for traditional homogeneous-based catalyzed transesterification for biodiesel production. Major problems in homogeneous catalysis are related to catalyst recuperation and soap formation, which can be overcome by using heterogeneous catalysts. Conversion can be increased by a combination of reaction and separation, using membranes with a specific pore size. The aim of this work was to study the performance of different membrane reactors combined with heterogeneous catalysis. The main objectives were: to identify a proper catalyst, to choose the proper immobilization technique, to establish the membrane with the adequate pore size, and to control the reaction and separation process. Amberlyst®15 with acid sites and different types of strontium oxide with basic sites were tested as heterogeneous catalysts. Strontium oxide provided the highest sunflower oil conversion (around 93%) and was easy to immobilize. Two catalytic membrane reactor configurations were investigated, thus confirming the production of several types of methyl esters. The configuration comprising the physical immobilization of the catalyst over the membrane reached a methyl ester yield of > 90 wt%.

Keywords

BiodieselCatalytic membrane reactorHeterogeneous catalystPerformanceSoybean oilSunflower oilTransesterification

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Fuel Processing Technology due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2019, it was in position 22/143, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Engineering, Chemical.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations from Scopus Elsevier, it yields a value for the Field-Weighted Citation Impact from the Scopus agency: 1.59, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Field Citation Ratio (FCR) from Dimensions: 3.2 (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-14, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 28
  • Scopus: 39
  • Google Scholar: 33
  • OpenCitations: 38

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-14:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 64 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina4104886

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Netherlands.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Haponska, Monika) and Last Author (Torras Font, Carles).